Ala. House votes to give teachers 2 percent raise

The Alabama House has voted to give public school teachers a 2 percent pay raise, less than the 5 percent raise supported by Democratic lawmakers.

The vote came Wednesday night as the House was debating bills related to the proposed $5.7 million education budget.

House members voted 62-37 against a proposed amendment by Democratic Rep. Richard Lindsey of Centre to increase the raise from 2 to 5 percent.

Education budget committee chairman Republican Rep. Jay Love of Montgomery says the state couldn't afford a 5 percent raise, partly because of money borrowed last year from the education budget and given to the General Fund.

But Lindsey said there is enough money in the budget to fund the 5 percent raise and pay back what was borrowed last year.

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